The Israel Defense Forces are preparing for the possibility of halting or reducing humanitarian aid to Gaza if negotiations with Hamas for a hostage release deal collapse, Hebrew media reported on Saturday.
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) IDF Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian revealed in a closed discussion that the military is drafting several scenarios, including a complete stop to aid, as a potential response to failed talks, according to Channel 12 News.
“”We must quickly prepare for changes in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, whether a deal is reached or not. We all hope for a deal soon, but we are also preparing for the possibility that Hamas blows up the talks—and this will have repercussions, including on the humanitarian aid entering the Strip,” Channel 12 quoted Alian as saying during the discussion.
While all decisions require political approval, the military can swiftly implement changes if instructed.
“If we are instructed to reduce or even stop the aid, we will know how to implement it quickly and professionally reflect its implications,” said Alian according to the report.
COGAT declined to comment on the matter, saying that “we do not comment on matters discussed in closed security meetings.”
The report comes against the backdrop of intensifying talks in Doha on the framework of an emerging deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Saturday afternoon with President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, in what was described as a “surprise visit” to discuss the multilateral negotiations with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Witkoff arrived in Israel after talks in Doha with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Channel 12 cited a “senior Israeli” as saying that Trump has been personally involved in the matter over the last couple of days, expressing his desire to cement a deal urgently before he enters office on Jan. 20.
Netanyahu on Saturday evening held a situation assessment discussion on the issue of prisoners and missing persons with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, the heads of the security establishment and the negotiators from the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations, the Prime Minister’s Bureau said.
At the end of the discussion, the prime minister directed Mossad Director David Barnea, Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) chief Ronen Bar, Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, the head of the Missing and Captive Soldiers Section in the Military Intelligence Directorate, and his political adviser Ophir Falk to go to Doha to continue advancing a deal for the release of the abductees in the Gaza Strip, the statement continued.
